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Explore Iman's legacy across fashion, beauty, and culture
Iman Beauty Secrets
Discover the timeless skincare philosophy and beauty rituals that have kept Iman radiant for decades.
Iman's Timeless Fashion Style
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The psychology behind memorable and recognizable faces.
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The evolving perception of beauty with age and experience.
The Return of Imperfection
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Bio Facts
| Full Name | Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid |
|---|---|
| Age | years old |
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Nationality | Somali-American |
| Profession | Model, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist |
| Known For | Founder of Iman Cosmetics, Fashion Icon |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Spouse | David Bowie (m. 1992–2016) |
| Children | 2 |
| Years Active | 1975–present |
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid is the founder and former CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances, a beauty company widely recognized for pioneering inclusive makeup and skincare for women with skin of color. Long before diversity became an industry standard, Iman created one of the first beauty brands intentionally designed to serve multicultural women across a broad spectrum of skin tones.
The Vision Behind IMAN Cosmetics
Launched in 1994, IMAN Cosmetics was built on a philosophy that challenged the beauty industry’s narrow definition of skin tone. The brand recognized that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds — including African American, Asian, Latina, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, and multi-ethnic communities.
Rather than treating deeper skin tones as a niche category, Iman beauty products were developed with inclusivity as a starting point. The brand offered both cosmetics and skincare, including foundation collections featuring up to 16 shades — a significant number at the time of launch.
IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrances were distributed internationally, with availability across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Strategic Expansion and Retail Accessibility
In 2004, IMAN Cosmetics announced a strategic licensing and distribution alliance with Procter & Gamble. This partnership marked an important shift in the brand’s retail presence.
Under the agreement, the prestige beauty line expanded into mass-market retail, becoming available at major stores such as Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and Duane Reade. This move reinforced Iman’s belief that inclusive beauty products should be accessible to everyday consumers, not limited to luxury counters.
Philanthropy and Global Advocacy
Beyond business, Iman has remained deeply involved in humanitarian and advocacy work. She has supported numerous charitable organizations, including the Children’s Defense Fund and Action Against Hunger.
One of her most significant initiatives is the RAISE HOPE FOR CONGO campaign, which aims to build a sustained and diverse global movement advocating for the protection, dignity, and empowerment of Congolese women and girls affected by conflict-related violence.
Author and Thought Leader on Beauty and Identity
Iman has also contributed to cultural dialogue through her writing. Her first book, I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), is an autobiographical sketchbook that reflects on fashion, beauty, and their influence on identity, questioning what she described as “the unserious business of fashion and beauty and its serious effect on identity.”
Her second book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Putnam Penguin, 2005), is widely regarded as one of the first comprehensive beauty guides addressing the full spectrum of skin tones. The book covers Latina, Black, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Native American, and multi-ethnic beauty perspectives, and helped reshape how women with skin of color approach makeup and self-expression.
Expanding Beyond Beauty
Ever evolving, Iman expanded her creative vision beyond cosmetics. Drawing on global influences and her experience in fashion, she launched IMAN Global Chic, a line of handbags, jewelry, and fashion accessories sold exclusively through HSN and HSN.com.
The line became one of the top-performing fashion and jewelry brands on the network, ranking among the leading sellers out of more than 200 brands. She later introduced IMAN Home, a collection of globally inspired fabrics and home décor designed to reflect a sophisticated, multicultural aesthetic.
In recognition of her influence on fashion and culture, Iman was honored in 2010 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) with the prestigious Fashion Icon Award.
Modeling Career and Cultural Impact
Iman began her modeling career in 1975 and quickly became one of the most influential figures in fashion. Born in Somalia to an African diplomat, she grew up multilingual, speaking five languages, and studied political science at the University of Nairobi.
She was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard and made her modeling debut in Vogue in 1976. Her rise was immediate, and she became a muse for designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan.
During her 14-year modeling career, Iman worked with some of the most celebrated photographers in history, including Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Annie Leibovitz.
Personal Life and Legacy
Iman is a mother of two daughters, Zulekha Haywood and Alexandria Zahra Jones. She was married to musician David Bowie, with whom she shared a daughter, Alexandria.
Today, Iman’s legacy extends beyond modeling or beauty products. Through IMAN Cosmetics, her books, and her advocacy work, she has played a lasting role in redefining global standards of beauty, representation, and cultural respect.
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